'It's going to be out of this world': WSO gears up for summer concert series

One of Daniel Wiley's first performance experiences with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO) was during the 2018 summer concert series.

Wiley thought his debut would be at the Capitol Theatre, house lights dimmed and the stage lights up.

But his first performance as WSO's assistant conductor wasduring a free, summer concert in Kingsville, Ont.

"It was a lot of fun, because it's very informal," said Wiley. "You're outdoors, people are on their picnic blankets, they bring their lawn chairs."

According to Wiley, that outdoor setting also makes thesummer concerts more accessible than their traditional performances.

"A lot of time, it can be hard for people to come in to hear a concert, and so we're trying to get out into the country and out into the community to bring music to people," he said.

Small ensembles, big sound

Beyond the outdoor setting, the WSO's summer concerts are distinguished from typical performances because they often feature a quintet of brass or woodwind performers, rather than a full ensemble.

"In terms of what the music is trying to communicate, it's not any different," said Wiley.

"It's also a rather intimate setting. You're outside and it's just you and these five people who are going to share music with you."

In comparison to a full orchestra, where audiences rarely get the opportunity to focus on individual performers, Wiley said that quintet performances allow audiences to more directly connect with players.

Another thing that distinguishes the outdoor concerts from traditional ones is that players perform without a conductor.

"They really have to use what I like to call 'Body English' to communicate with one another," said Wiley.

... we're trying to get out into the country and out into the community...- Daniel Wiley, assistant conductor with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra

Still, the WSO's summer series also has more traditional concert experiences, for those audiences looking for a night out at the orchestra.

Wiley pointed to the WSO's Aug. 24concert at Seacliff Park Amphitheatre in Leamington, Ont. as an example.

That performance will feature a full orchestra, as well as WSOmusic director Robert Franz as conductor.

The night will feature water-themed pieces likeGeorge Frideric Handel's Water Music andthe Pirates of the Caribbean films.

"I think I saw 'Smoke on the Water' on the program," said Wiley. "It's going to be out of this world."